Welcome to another day the Lord has made that we should rejoice and be glad in. (Psalms 118:24)

The slang term “thirsty” typically refers to someone who is desperate, often seeking attention or validation. Today, let’s look at being “thirsty” for Jesus.

Today’s scripture, John 4:7-15 (NLT) shares…
[7] Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink.” [8] He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food. [9] The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?” [10] Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.” [11] “But sir, you don’t have a rope or a bucket,” she said, “and this well is very deep. Where would you get this living water? [12] And besides, do you think you’re greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us this well? How can you offer better water than he and his sons and his animals enjoyed?” [13] Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. [14] But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” [15] “Please, sir,” the woman said, “give me this water! Then I’ll never be thirsty again, and I won’t have to come here to get water.”

Consider…
During Jesus’ ministry, He used parables to help people understand God’s Kingdom, in their vernacular. Thus, I hope you will indulge me using the slang term ‘thirsty’, to describe how encounters with Jesus should be.

Today’s scripture is a familiar example of a ‘thirsty’ heart, that ran into Jesus, in search for what only He could provide. I heard a preacher point out the woman spent her life trying to satisfy her thirst with water from dead well, until she finally met the Living water. You see this woman’s multiple failed relationships revealed her search for love ‘in all the wrong places’. Only the unfailing love of God could satisfy her longing.

This woman resembles what is true in us. Like Psalmist Marvin Sapp sings…

My soul is thirsty
My soul is thirsty for you
My soul is thirsty
My soul is thirsty for you

As the deer is thirsty for the water
So does my soul long for thee
My spirit needs refreshing
Father, I’m thirsty
Thirsty for you

We’re all ‘thirsty’ for Jesus, whether we realize it not. The good news is that Jesus said in John 7:37-39 (NLT)…
[37] …“Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! [38] Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” [39] (When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory.)

The Holy Spirit showed me something new about verse 39. God’s Spirit must always be flowing in us.

Then the Holy Spirit directed me to 1 Thessalonians 5:16-19 (NIV), which exhorts…
[16] Rejoice always, [17] pray continually, [18] give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. [19] Do not quench the Spirit.

Most people recite verses 16-18, but verse 19 wasn’t accidentally placed next. You see Romans 8:26-27 (NLT) provides additional context to the passage. It says…
[26] And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. [27] And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will.

Notice the Spirit helps and intercedes for us. That tells me when the Spirit is flowing in us, we can…

• Always Rejoice
• Never stop Praying
• Give Thanks for everything

… conversely, if we quench/stifle the Holy Spirit we won’t do these things, which are God’s will for us.

So, let the Holy Spirit do the quenching in your life, not vice versa.

Another example the Lord gave me of being ‘thirsty’ for Jesus is found in Matthew 15:22-28 (NLT), which shares…
[22] A Gentile woman who lived there came to him, pleading, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! For my daughter is possessed by a demon that torments her severely.” [23] But Jesus gave her no reply, not even a word. Then his disciples urged him to send her away. “Tell her to go away,” they said. “She is bothering us with all her begging.” [24] Then Jesus said to the woman, “I was sent only to help God’s lost sheep—the people of Israel.” [25] But she came and worshiped him, pleading again, “Lord, help me!” [26] Jesus responded, “It isn’t right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs.” [27] She replied, “That’s true, Lord, but even dogs are allowed to eat the scraps that fall beneath their masters’ table.” [28] “Dear woman,” Jesus said to her, “your faith is great. Your request is granted.” And her daughter was instantly healed.

Recall we said at the beginning of this post that being ‘thirsty’ is being desperate. The Holy Spirit then reminded me that it’s when we become desperate for Jesus, we discover the sufficiency of His grace. (2 Corinthians 12:8-10)

The Holy Spirit continued teaching me that in our ‘thirstyness’, we like this woman, can confidently go to God for help. He directed me to Hebrews 4:14-16 (NLT), which explains…
[14] So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. [15] This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. [16] So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

So, boldly go to God’s throne for help, regardless of the fact you don’t deserve it. Remember, by definition, grace is giving us what we don’t deserve.

Lastly, the Holy Spirit showed me the power of believing in a ‘thirsty’ touch. Mark 5:25-34 (NLT) shares…
[25] A woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding. [26] She had suffered a great deal from many doctors, and over the years she had spent everything she had to pay them, but she had gotten no better. In fact, she had gotten worse. [27] She had heard about Jesus, so she came up behind him through the crowd and touched his robe. [28] For she thought to herself, “If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.” [29] Immediately the bleeding stopped, and she could feel in her body that she had been healed of her terrible condition. [30] Jesus realized at once that healing power had gone out from him, so he turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my robe?” [31] His disciples said to him, “Look at this crowd pressing around you. How can you ask, ‘Who touched me?’” [32] But he kept on looking around to see who had done it. [33] Then the frightened woman, trembling at the realization of what had happened to her, came and fell to her knees in front of him and told him what she had done. [34] And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. Your suffering is over.”

Notice verse 28 says…
For she thought to herself, “If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.”

When we’ve exhausted all of our limited hopes and efforts, let’s make sure we remember that we know a limitless God who can change everything with one touch.

As Planetshakers sing…

With just one touch
Every burden fell off my shoulders
With just one touch
Every mountain swept away
Now goodbye guilt and shame
He’s overcome the grave
We lift the name of Jesus higher

The Holy Spirit is telling me that God is waiting for us to humbly seek His touch. That’s what 1 Peter 5:6-7 (NIV) encourages…
[6] Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. [7] Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

So today, recognize you’re probably ‘thirsty’ for Jesus if you’re…

• desperate
• in need of attention
• seeking validation

The good news is Jesus declared in John 6:35 (NIV)….
[35] …“I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

Believe in Jesus and find the Living water that you’re looking for.

Today’s song is…
Whatcha Looking For

Blessings 4HG (1 Corinthians 10:31)